Elderberry Syrup

I know cold and flu season is coming when I start making Elderberry Syrup. If I'm on top of things, I usually make it right before Halloween. If I'm honest I'm making it in November as we're all coming down with whatever crud has hit us that year.

Elderberry provides a cooling and moistening effect. Illness often involves symptoms like fever and mucus. We might also have a headache or soreness, which are associated with heat. Therefore, the cooling properties of elderberry can alleviate the heat-related symptoms we encounter when we are unwell.

Elderberry has an affinity for the upper respiratory tract. Think nose, sinus and throat. If what you have is deep in the lungs, elderberry can help and we'll talk about why below, but it's sweet spot is for congestion and mucus in the upper respiratory tract.

Elderberry is high in Vitamin C. You can read about the importance of Vitamin C when you are sick here.

When you are sick your lymphatic system goes into high gear. This system is the garbage collector of your body. It takes the waste that is too big for your blood and breaks it down so your body can process it and feel better. Elderberry has been shown to cleanse the lymphatics, capillaries and also the blood. It helps your body do what it already does even better.

Finally we see that Elderberry inhibits the reproduction of virus. Studies have shown that it not only kills viruses but prevents replication.

Due to its ability to prevent replication, Elderberry serves as an excellent herbal preventative measure during cold and flu season, or when traveling or in situations where there's a higher risk of exposure to illness.

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Elderberry Syrup

Ingredients:

Photo by Kiwihug on UnSplash

• 2/3 c. Elderberry

• 6 TBSP Astragalus

• 4 TBSP Ginger

• 1 Cinnamon Stick

• 4-6 Cardamom Pods

• 1 Vanilla Bean (optional)

Directions:

• Add 3 cups water to pan and dump dry herbs in, bring to simmer and reduce liquid by half. 

• Cool, strain out herbs and add equal part honey. i.e. 1 1/2 cup of strained liquid = 1 1/2 cup honey. 

• Substitute maple syrup for honey if you have littles under a year old.

Dosage:

• If acute: 1/2 to 1 tsp per hour until symptoms subside

• Preventative dose: 1-2 tsp 1-2 times per day

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Whether taken as a preventative measure or when you are acutely ill, Elderberry is a valuable resource for any home apothecary.

My favorite thing about Elderberry syrup, especially if you have kids is they will actually take it. It's sweet. Its a great way to introduce herbal medicine to kids while keeping their immune system supported, strong and healthy all season long.